Yea, though I walk through the valley of the darkness , I will embrace her: for thou art with me; her rod and thy staff they comfort me
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"As it stands now, the Black Veil is intended as a set of guidelines only. There is no obligation on the part of anyone within the vampire community to strictly follow these rules, and there is certainly no way to enforce them. However, as these guidelines were an attempt to give voice to the unspoken rules generally followed by everyone anyway, we feel that they adequately reflect the values upheld by many individuals within the community. At the core, they are simply common sense rules of behavior based upon respect for oneself and for others.
The Black Veil
DISCRETION
Respect yourself and present yourself so that others also respect you. Take care in revealing your nature. Explain what you are, not to shock, but to teach and to inform. Do not flaunt what you are, and know that whether you want them to or not, your actions will reflect upon the rest of the community.
Share your nature only with those with the wisdom to understand and accept it, and learn to recognize these people.
DIVERSITY
Among us, there are many different practices and many points of view. No single one of us has all the answers to who and what we are. Respect each person’s individual choices and beliefs. Learn about them and share what you know. Our diversity is our strength, and we should not allow misunderstanding to weaken our community.
Find the path that is right for you and uphold this freedom for others.
CONTROL
Do not allow your darkness to consume you. You are more than just your hunger, and you can exercise conscious control. Do not be reckless. Always act with a mind toward safety. Never feed because you think this makes you powerful; feed because this is what you must do.
Be true to your nature, but never use it as an excuse to endanger those around you.
ELDERS
Give respect to those who have earned it. Anyone can claim a title, but a true leader will prove him or herself through dedication, hard work, and great deeds. Even so, leaders should be guides and not dictators. Look to them as examples, but always decide for yourself what you must do.
Respect the person, not the position, and understand that your choices are always your own.
BEHAVIOR
Know that there are repercussions to every action, and that you alone are responsible for your decisions. Educate yourself about risky behaviors, then always act with wisdom and common sense. Do not allow others to abuse you, but also, do not selfishly abuse.
Respect the rights of others and treat them as you would be treated.
DONORS
Feeding should occur between consenting adults. Allow donors to make an informed decision before they give of themselves to you. Do not take rapaciously from others, but seek to have an exchange that is pleasant and beneficial for all.
Respect the life that you feed upon and do not abuse those who provide for you.
COMMUNITY
Reach out to others in your community. Exchange ideas, information, and support. Be hospitable to others, and appreciate hospitality when it is extended to you. Do not engage in illegal activity, for this can endanger us all.
Seek to nurture our community and support all those who do the same."
written circa 1998 and revised by Michelle Belanger in 2000 & 2002
A copy of the most current Black Veil (BV v 2.0) appears in the back of The Psychic Vampire Codex: A Manual of Magick and Energy Work by Michelle Belanger as well as in the 2007 release, Vampires: In Thier Own Words.
The Oath Initiation:
I stand here tonight before the Ancients and the members of unknown and loyalty, preparing to initiate my journey towards the awakening of my Dragon Within through study..
I seek to be recognized as a pledge to the unknown
and vow to uphold and respect the Covenant. I vow to uphold the Black Veil and be guided by it's tenets. These members are my Family. For this reason their pain is my pain, Their blood is my Blood. I vow to protect the House and it's members with my life if need be. I vow to uphold the Pillars and keep them safe from those who would not nor cannot understand.
Here lies my tools of my journey, my Septem Civis Ankh. The symbol of my Dragon, which stands for my choice of immortality. This I will wear by my heart at all times ( hold the Ankh, charge it by reciting then put it on )
This is the symbol of life.
It is the symbol of my ancient heritage,
A heritage I now proudly proclaim.
Life sustains me and makes me strong:
Every breath and every sweet drop of blood
Is a celebration of what I am.
Let this ankh be my constant reminder
As I wear it each night above my heart
Of the life that is so very precious
And the darkness that encircles my soul.
Kiss the ankh and place it over your heart.
To remind me of my choice of initiation.
Here I now consecrate my grimoire,
which will be my journal and guide to all of my knowledge.
I am Vampyre!
I am Immortal!
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